R&D Manager

POSITION                    : R&D Manager-Israel

AREA                           : R&D and Innovation

BASE                           : Hadera, Israel

REGION                       : AMEA

REPORTING TO           : Global R&D Head (Direct); Israel BU Head (Matrix)

JOB SUMMARY:

The R&D Manager reports to the Global R&D Head and functions as a crucial role in managing the lab team and coordinating the development and validation of R&D regional project, support prioritized global projects and the driving force behind Decco’s regulatory strategic growth plan. The R&D Manager leads innovation, new product development and product life cycle management, while providing active support to marketing, regulatory, commercial team through technical guidance, customer services implemented through laboratories and technical advisors in field. The role collaborates with cross functional members withing organization and with external stakeholders.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Product Development, Validation and Recommendation

• Lead and promote development projects to expand the company’s product portfolio and business diversification.
• Identify new products and technologies through Decco entities, research institutions, and startups.
• Full management of innovation processes – from initial engagement and feasibility assessment to drawing practical conclusions.
• Transitioning new products from the development phase to commercialization, with full process support.
• Plan, execute, and analyze trials required to evaluate products and technologies, either in-house or in collaboration with research institutions and customers.
• Provide regulatory and labelling support to ensure alignment with local regulations and international guidelines.
• Expand the application of current products to new crops and countries, providing support to global initiatives.

2. Technical Support & regulation

• Assume 100% responsibility for resolving technical issues incur with the customer and in market, including product quality, equipment, and resource challenges.
• Lead technical meetings with customers to address product concerns, testing needs, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure regular visits to customer/field and trial locations for technical leverage and record quality data/feedback.
• Engage with the sales team to provide technical assistance, handle certifications, documents, reports, and meetings to support the business.
• Full responsibility for product registration processes with the Chemistry Division of the Plant Protection Institute.
• Ongoing management of existing registrations, including renewals and necessary updates.
• Submission of applications for new product registrations or label expansions
• Planning, execution, and analysis of required regulatory trials, either in-house or in collaboration with research institutions and customers.

3. Coordination, Communication and Collaboration

• Develop and submit monthly reports laboratory activities, project progress, and milestones achieved as per project strategy and country/regional/global plan and demand.
• Manage and be responsible for the Quality Control & Pesticides Residues Laboratory  
• Design and verify protocols across categories for project/product testing in laboratory and in field (invitro, invivo, packhouse, CRO).
• Maintain the log, SOP for lab machines timely plan for the repair and upkeep and indent for lab consumables.
• Co-ordinate with formulation team for product validation related support.

• Communicate the R&D results timely with clarity. Connect with other regional managers for cross learnings and project implementation.
• Visit, engage, consult and influence key university researchers, extension agents, consultants, startup companies and customers in the adoption of new products.
• Liaison and direct contact with regulatory authorities, consultants for registration implementing process, regulatory compliances. Communicate with global regulatory coordinator.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.  Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor, consistent with their skills and experience.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / SKILLS

• A bachelor's degree in Plant Sciences or Plant Protection is required, with preference given to candidates holding a master's degree and experience in the postharvest field.
• Multi-tasking, managing short-term and reactive sales support and “stage-gate” structured long term projects is also required.
• An innovation mindset with eagerness to lear and adopt and with good communication and interpersonal skill is required.
• This person will possess excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills, be a self-starter, and have demonstrable abilities to manage projects, coordinate teamwork and negotiate globally.
• Computer skills are required, with expertise in Excel and other MS Office programs.